SWNOVELXO Chapter 63
(Tl Note :- Sry for not uploading Yesterday)
Tap, tap.
Fingers adorned with a large sapphire ring drummed rhythmically against the table.
“So, what you’re saying is…”
The Marchioness of Ambrose had dropped everything and rushed straight to the Duchy of Blaire upon receiving my call.
As the tense atmosphere settled in, the corners of her lips dipped downward.
“…You suspect that my youngest daughter-in-law’s condition might not be asthma or a bronchial disease, but something related to her ribs?”
“Yes. A thorough diagnosis from a doctor would be necessary for confirmation, though.”
“Do you know of any treatment options, my lady?”
The fact that I had reached out to her first meant I already had a lead on a possible solution.
She hadn’t said it outright, but her question suggested she had already guessed as much.
Once the most probable cause was identified, the solution was simple.
“If she receives treatment from a high-ranking priest skilled in divine power—after, of course, making a considerable donation to the temple—there should be significant improvement.”
“But James…”
“Yes, he wouldn’t have that kind of money.”
Had she caught my implication?
The Marchioness of Ambrose’s eyes glinted for a brief moment.
But just as quickly, she erased any trace of emotion and shifted in her seat.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Well…”
‘I want to put you in as much debt to me as possible, of course.’
Naturally, I couldn’t say that out loud.
Nor could I admit that I pitied the unfortunate future awaiting both the Marchioness of Ambrose and Baroness Pavron.
Instead, I took a sip of tea, moistening my lips lightly, and calmly answered,
“Because I hold Baroness Pavron’s talents in high regard.”
“Talents? That girl has anything worth noting?”
The cold skepticism in her voice made it clear how she treated those around her.
It also revealed that, while she undoubtedly cared for her son, she knew little about her daughter-in-law.
Now, it was my turn to convince her.
“If Baroness Pavron recovers, I’d like to offer her a position as a story writer for comic books.”
“…Does she have the talent for that?”
At that moment, I caught the slightest shift in the Marchioness’s expression.
“I realized it after having a proper conversation with her. She has an innate gift for creating new stories through imaginative thinking.”
And that wasn’t all.
“She also has the ability to analyze people from different perspectives while still maintaining a warm outlook. I need someone like that.”
The Marchioness of Ambrose remained silent, slowly drinking her tea until only half remained in her cup.
Then, finally—
“…In that case,” she said, her voice now resolute, as if she had made up her mind.
“I would like to invest in her talents as well, trusting in the keen ‘eye’ you claim to have.”
“…Pardon?”
“I won’t be helping her simply because she’s my son’s wife or because I feel sorry for James. I will be doing so because I recognize her potential and deem her a worthy investment.”
So, she wasn’t ready to let go of her pride just yet.
‘You’ll regret that.’
But if this was the way the Marchioness of Ambrose resolved things, I had no reason to object.
I couldn’t dictate how she navigated her own conflicts.
Leaving that matter to those directly involved, I gave a light nod.
“I’m grateful that you see it that way.”
Now that the conversation had reached its conclusion, I moved to wrap things up.
“I’ll trust the House of Ambrose to find a skilled doctor and a high-ranking priest capable of diagnosing and treating Baroness Pavron’s condition.”
“I will ensure they are worthy of bearing my family’s name, so if you’re worried—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Meeting the strange glint in her eyes, I simply smiled.
I felt… refreshed.
And it wasn’t just because I had managed to deepen her debt to me.
* * *
Kayan was never one to pay much attention to what happened outside.
But today was different.
After an especially long meeting, confined for hours in a stifling room, he impulsively walked toward the window.
And that’s when—
“…Hmm.”
His eyes narrowed at the sight outside the ducal estate.
April was strolling near the manor, engaged in an animated conversation with a young male painter.
Whatever they were discussing, they seemed to be enjoying themselves far too much for his liking.
Then, April said something that made the painter jump back in surprise.
Yet, as soon as she turned her head in another direction, the man immediately stepped closer to her again.
“…Hah.”
Kayan scoffed, his lips curling at the corners.
“That’s annoying.”
“…Excuse me?”
The sudden shift in atmosphere made his aides shrink back in confusion.
As they stared at him like startled meerkats, Kayan finally snapped out of his daze and shook his head.
“…It’s nothing.”
But even so, he couldn’t completely hide the cold edge in his expression.
Naturally, the temperature in the office began to drop.
His aides exchanged uncertain glances before resorting to quiet scribbles and hushed exchanges.
But Kayan…
Kayan sat completely still, his face unreadable, lost in thought about something entirely unrelated to his work.
Even now, the memory replayed vividly in his mind.
— “So, A and B could actually get along, but there’s a misunderstanding keeping them apart. I feel like I could help clear things up…”
— “Wait. Are A and B people connected to the princess? And they’re a man and a woman?”
— “Yes, that’s right.”
If his pride hadn’t held him back at the time, he might have blurted out,
‘The princess… is she developing feelings for some young man she met through work?’
The idea of linking himself to April like that was laughable.
Yet, it wasn’t an unreasonable assumption.
After all, April, who typically preferred staying indoors, had been frequently leaving the estate due to her growing workload.
And though he hated to admit it, April—so long as she wasn’t making one of her usual weird expressions—was quite beautiful.
Even within the ducal estate, she was rather popular.
Strictly speaking, whoever she met was none of his business.
Here, she wasn’t just a princess—she was a ‘free person.’
So he had no right to complain.
…Then why did it bother him so much?
His expression darkened.
The truth was, whenever he accompanied her as a part-time bodyguard, he often noticed the lingering gazes of men directed at her.
Everywhere.
Among the painters. At the Poletta leather workshop. In the curtain factory. At the Pascal merchant guild. Even among the occasional mages from the tower.
Of course, this had nothing to do with him.
Even if April ended up dating that painter, it wouldn’t be his concern.
But!
Still!
There was no way he could just sit back and watch a mere employee harbor improper thoughts toward his employer.
“That would be a betrayal of professional integrity.”
“E-Excuse me?!”
The weight of his words sent a ripple of shock through the silent office.
Ignoring his now visibly terrified aides, Kayan abruptly rose from his seat.
“I can’t let this slide.”
With that ominous declaration, he stormed out of the office, leaving behind a frozen atmosphere.
“…At this rate, we’re all going to die of stress.”
Left behind in the icy office, his aides could only let out pitiful groans of despair.